Asian festivals in fall 2025 bring together vibrant traditions and modern events: from Namgang lanterns and momiji season to Expo Osaka, Ubud Writers, and the Daegu Opera Festival with dates, addresses, and links.
Andong Mask Dance Festival
One of South Korea’s most emblematic traditional festivals. The highlight is the Hahoe Talchum dance, recognized by UNESCO as cultural heritage, performed in the historic Hahoe Village. Expect colorful street parades, theater performances, and folk games.
Dates: 26 September – 5 October 2025
Address: Andong, South Korea
Website: maskdance.com
Namgang Lantern Festival
The festival commemorates the fallen soldiers of the Imjin War. Thousands of lanterns floating along the Namgang River create a magical atmosphere. The program features workshops, fireworks, evening parades, and an exhibition of paper-and-light art installations.
Dates: 1–13 October 2025
Address: Jinju, South Korea
Website: yudeung.com
Momiji Festival (Red Maple Season)
The season of admiring red maples (momiji) begins in late October. Kyoto, Nara, Hakone, and Nikko are especially popular, with temple illuminations, themed tea ceremonies, and autumn fairs.
Dates: Late October – November 2025
Address: Kyoto, Nikko and other regions of Japan
Website: japan.travel
Shirakawa Chōchin Festival
An atmospheric evening celebration with hundreds of paper lanterns lit along the streets of Shirakawa. The festival features a procession, performances, and street food.
Dates: Mid-September 2025
Address: Shirakawa, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan
Tōno Festival
One of the oldest rural festivals in the Tōhoku region, with wagon parades, mask dances, storyteller performances, and craft exhibitions.
Dates: 17–18 September 2025
Address: Tōno, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Oktoberfest in Sendai
Sendai, the capital of the Tōhoku region, holds its own Oktoberfest twice a year, a German beer festival in Japanese style with traditional live music, Bavarian food, and open-air beer pavilions. It takes place in Sendai’s central Kishikicho Park.
The venue is a five-minute walk from Kōtōdaikōen Station. Admission is free, and there’s plenty to enjoy both day and night.
Dates: 5–23 September 2025
Address: Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan
Website: japantravel.com
Expo 2025, World Expo in Osaka
An ongoing World Expo under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.” Country pavilions showcase cutting-edge technologies, urban ideas, green innovations, and artificial intelligence.
Dates: Through 13 October 2025
Address: Yumeshima, Osaka, Japan
Website: expo2025.or.jp
Mid-Autumn Festival 2025
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional Chinese celebration of family and harvest, observed on the full-moon night of 6 October 2025. Across East and Southeast Asia (China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore), people light lanterns, exchange mooncakes, and gather for festivities.
The holiday symbolizes family unity, gratitude for the harvest, and wishes for well-being. It’s typically marked by family dinners, street fairs, and dragon dances.
Dates: 6 October 2025 (full-moon night)
Address: China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, etc.
Website: wikipedia.org
Kaze-no-Bon Festival, Toyama
A poetic “festival of wind” in the scenic village of Yatsuo, surrounded by mountains. Historic streets glow with lanterns as locals perform graceful, slow dances to the sound of shamisen. The cozy, tranquil mood makes it special even by Japanese standards.
Dates: 1–3 September 2025
Address: Yatsuo, Toyama Prefecture, Japan
Website: yatsuo.net
Kishiwada Danjiri Festival
One of Japan’s most dynamic and spectacular festivals. Participants pull heavy wooden danjiri floats at high speed through the streets, intricately carved and thrilling to watch blending athleticism, spectacle, and deep tradition.
Dates: 7–14 September 2025
Address: Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan
Website: city.kishiwada.osaka.jp
Chōyō no Sekku, Chrysanthemum Festival
A traditional Japanese celebration dedicated to chrysanthemums, the symbol of longevity and the imperial family. Held across Japan, including Tokyo, Nara and Kanagawa. Homes are decorated with flowers, and tea ceremonies and floral exhibitions are staged.
Dates: 9 September 2025
Address: Across Japan, especially in parks and temples in Tokyo, Kamakura, and Nara
Itaewon Global Village Festival 2025
The Itaewon Global Village Festival is an international cultural celebration held every autumn in Seoul’s Itaewon district. It features parades of up to 800 participants, K-pop concerts, cultural showcases, street food, and world music.
The festival is especially popular with both tourists and locals, creating a multicultural atmosphere and a feast of flavors.
Dates: October 2025 (typically mid-month)
Address: Itaewon, Seoul, South Korea
Gwangju Kimchi Festival 2025
The Gwangju Kimchi Festival celebrates Korea’s iconic cuisine with kimchi as the star. Guests join workshops, tasting contests, and learn the culture of vegetable fermentation.
The festival brings together food lovers and professionals, offering a deep dive into Korea’s authentic flavors.
Dates: 31 October – 2 November 2025
Address: Gwangju, South Korea
Website: odynovotours.com
Daegu International Opera Festival 2025
The Daegu International Opera Festival is Asia’s largest opera event, held in October in the city of Daegu. The program includes opera productions, educational lectures, open-air concerts, and backstage tours.
The festival features both international and Korean opera companies.
Dates: Mid-October 2025
Address: Daegu, South Korea
Website: daeguoperahouse.org
Ubud Writers & Readers Festival 2025
The Ubud Writers & Readers Festival, Southeast Asia’s largest literary event, takes place in Bali. Expect discussions, workshops, book launches, film premieres, and musical performances.
It welcomes authors and artists from more than 30 countries. The 2025 theme is “Aham Brahmasmi”: “I am the Universe.”
Dates: 29 October – 2 November 2025
Address: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Website: ubudwritersfestival.com
Jeju Olle Walking Festival 2025
The Jeju Olle Walking Festival follows the Jeju-Olle trail routes on Jeju Island each November. Participants walk different sections, enjoying nature, culture, and local cuisine.
It attracts around 10,000 participants from Korea and abroad. Along the routes you’ll find local tastings plus music- and dance-themed segments.
Dates: 6–8 November 2025
Address: Jeju Island, South Korea
Website: jejuolle.org
Kasanggayahan Festival 2025
Kasanggayahan Festival is a provincial celebration in Sorsogon Province, Philippines, held in October to mark the province’s founding. It features large street parades, cultural and historical performances, fairs, dances and music.
The festival attracts thousands of visitors and in 2019 set a Guinness World Record: 7,000 participants performed the Pantomina dance together. The event strengthens local identity and showcases regional culture.
Dates: 1–31 October 2025
Address: Sorsogon Province, Philippines
Website: tpb.gov.ph
